Tonys issue eligibility rulings

Walken, Linney, Breen to be considered for noms

Christopher Walken is the sole cast member of Broadway play “A Behanding in Spokane” who will be considered eligible for a Tony nom as a lead thesp, according to the third of four periodic eligibility rulings issued each season by the Tony Awards Administration Committee.

Tony guidelines dictate that, in general, above-the-title thesps will be considered leads, with those below-the-title considered supporting. All four cast members of “Behanding” are credited above-the-title, but according to the admin committee, three of them — Sam Rockwell, Anthony Mackie and Zoe Kazan — will be considered eligible for noms in supporting categories.

Also singled out as leads are Laura Linney, who played the central role in Manhattan Theater Club’s Broadway production of “Time Stands Still,” and Patrick Breen, who plays the pivotal character in current offering “Next Fall.”

Otherwise, all other decision were consistent with opening night credits.

As is often the case, it will be the fourth and final eligibility meeting — which makes rulings regarding the spate of shows that open just before the season’s Tony deadline — that will be loaded with decisions that will affect the nominations. This year the eligibility cutoff is April 29, with Tony noms announced May 3.